Whitewater: Amended ordinance requires permit to store ‘junk vehicles’

Whitewater city officials have released an announcement reminding residents that a permit is required to store unused or “junk” vehicles within the city. 

Amendments made recently to a city ordinance governing the storage of unused vehicles include language which states that such vehicles require a permit when being stored “on a hard surface.” 

Permits will be issued by the city for a period of up to one year. 

Additionally, the ordinance stipulates the use of a car cover when storing vehicles. 

According to the amended ordinance: “No person, firm, partnership, or corporation shall accumulate or store any junked, disassembled, inoperable, or unlicensed automobiles or trucks or parts thereof, on any real estate located in the city, except upon a permit issued by the city council.”

Additionally, the ordinance states: “If an owner is actively racing, restoring or repairing a vehicle, one vehicle, including stock/race vehicles, may be stored on the vehicle owner’s property based on a permit being issued by the city manager or his or her designee, for a period of up to one year when said vehicle is covered with a canvas, tarpaulin or manufactured vehicle cover that is properly secured, free of rips and tears and covers the vehicle to the wheels/tires.” 

The stored vehicle must be: 

  • Located in the rear yard,
  • Parked on a hard surface,
  • Kept in compliance with the all city ordinances, including the zoning ordinance, 
  • Kept in a location that is not visible to travelers on public roads and alleys, and
  • Kept in a location that, in the opinion of the city manager or his or her designee, will not substantially diminish the quality of views of neighboring property owners. 

Those with questions are encouraged to contact Whitewater Neighborhood Services Director Chris Bennett by phone: 262-473-0143 or email: CBennett@whitewater-wi.gov. 

The full ordinance is found here: https://library.municode.com/wi/whitewater/codes/code_of_ordinances. 

File photo/public domain. 

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